First Straight in Colorado

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09-19-2009, 08:59 PM
dworks

First Straight in Colorado

Couldn't resist that title...

Intended to only do top-half dominate cheek per instructions. But it went so well just kept going. The left hand was, well, frankly pretty scary, so I did a crossover with a decent hokey-pokey thrown in. didn't get too aggressive around the lips and nose. Only a couple minor scrapes.

Here in the dry high altitude keeping the lather moist was a small challenge. Using Tabac hard soap with a new badger. MUCH better than the cheap old bristle brush and soap I was using for several years along with the old blade whatever kind it was...

The mental aspect of having an ultra sharp blade hovering over the neck was a real trip. Some controlled breathing and careful use got the heart rate down below 150 again and the nerves steadied.

This was a lot more fun than I imagined. I took my time and cleaned up with the old disposable Mach 2 or 3. Already looking forward to tomorrow...
09-19-2009, 09:03 PM
ReardenSteel

Welcome to SRP and congratulations on your first attempt. Keep us posted on your progress and feel free to ask any questions.
09-19-2009, 09:24 PM
59caddy

welcome, you seem to be off to a good start. remember do not rush and you will gain confidence with each shave. other areas on your face will become more easy to shave...keep us posted
09-19-2009, 11:12 PM
thebigspendur

Congratulations.

I'm down the road from you in New Mexico. I'm at 5600feet so its not the altitude. It may either be a hard water problem or you just might need to use more water. I've never used tabac so I can't advise there however with English milled soaps or MWF I have no issues getting great lather. Just experiment.
09-20-2009, 06:11 PM
LarryAndro

Quote:

Originally Posted by dworks

Couldn't resist that title...
The mental aspect of having an ultra sharp blade hovering over the neck was a real trip.

I remember! Now, I don't even think about how sharp the blade is. And, maybe because of this, when I cut myself - which isn't often, it is more often than not not even my face! The last time, I managed to make a small slice on my non-shaving hand. Don't even know why.
09-20-2009, 06:16 PM
Otto

Yes, The first time is a kick. :D After that the quality (of the shave) only gets better. After a while you reach BBS!
09-20-2009, 06:17 PM
dworks

Day Two was better and worse. Too hurried to get out the door for church so a couple more minor nicks. Still sorting out this new soap. Don't think I am getting it foamy enough because when it is, blade slides better. Left hand (non-dominant) better, but still not letting it anywhere near my neck! Getting better on the angle. Ignoring lips and chin until I get further down the road.
09-20-2009, 06:20 PM
dworks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otto

Yes, The first time is a kick. :D After that the quality (of the shave) only gets better. After a while you reach BBS!

I have a very high standard to get to. Used to get my haircut and occasional shaves from Curly at the Brown Palace in Denver. He was often voted Best Barber in Denver. Whether it was just cleaning up the haircut around the ears and neck or a full shave, he was precise, steady and quick, even when he had to move to disposable straightedge blades.
09-20-2009, 06:25 PM
Otto

Quote:

Originally Posted by dworks

I have a very high standard to get to. Used to get my haircut and occasional shaves from Curly at the Brown Palace in Denver. He was often voted Best Barber in Denver. Whether it was just cleaning up the haircut around the ears and neck or a full shave, he was precise, steady and quick, even when he had to move to disposable straightedge blades.

I used to go to a barber in north Seattle. He also did razor shaves. I miss that.
09-20-2009, 09:29 PM
Obie

First Straight in Colorado

Gentlemen,

The first time I shaved with a straight razor my heart played an endless drum solo that rattled my insides. In time the drums grew quieter and the solos shorter.

I still get the butterflies before every shave, though now their wings are much shorter. After 30 years in radio, I still heard the fluttering of butterflies inside me the first time I turned on the microphone to start my show.

Shaving with a straight razor, in a way, is much like encountering a beautiful woman who radiates a sense of danger. Perhaps that's what attracts many of us, butterflies and all.

Regards,

Obie
09-20-2009, 09:34 PM
richmondesi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen,

The first time I shaved with a straight razor my heart played an endless drum solo that rattled my insides. In time the drums grew quieter and the solos shorter.

I still get the butterflies before every shave, though now their wings are much shorter. After 30 years in radio, I still heard the fluttering of butterflies inside me the first time I turned on the microphone to start my show.

Shaving with a straight razor, in a way, is much like encountering a beautiful woman who radiates a sense of danger. Perhaps that's what attracts many of us, butterflies and all.

Regards,

Obie

Obie,

I always love reading your posts. I know they will be interesting and lacking of any offensive content. You, sir, are a true gentleman!
09-20-2009, 09:35 PM
DPflaumer

I'm glad to hear that someone else's first straight shave went as well as my first did on Friday. :D
09-20-2009, 09:45 PM
Obie

First Straight in Colorado

My dear Richmondesi,

Thank you for the kind words. I feel I am in the company of gentlemen.

Regards,

Obie
09-20-2009, 10:29 PM
dworks

A few things I have started to figure out:

1. Steady breathing. Learned while recovering from trauma that slow, steady, deep breathing helps get the anxiety back down.

2. Try and get it right the first time. IOW, the more passes, the more razor burn. My barber Curly is the example here. He never had to do it twice. Also, the more passes, the more frustration. I'm not interested in keeping the styptic pencil folks in business.

3. Be humble, not a hero. Since I don't have a clue how to do the lips and chin thing yet, I am real ok with leaving it alone. Beats having no lips and no chin.
09-23-2009, 09:39 PM
dworks

3rd shave today. I am not an everyday shaver. Went much better, other than that dumb slip next to my ear. Actually did an ATG on the chin line. Did the rest of the chin, only leaving the lips. Back to the video...
09-23-2009, 10:18 PM
livingontheedge

I had my 2nd whole face shave today, and no way am I going back to disposables. Still waiting for my razor to bite me, I'm sure that is because of all the things I have learned from this great site and it's members Thank You SRP without the wisdom of your helpfull members I would definatly not have had such pleasurable shaves. The only problem is I seem to have caught RAD ,2 shaves 3 razors and 2 I just got from an antique store (never thought I would ever go "antiquing") and I still want MORE MORE MORE my wife is going to kill me.

John
09-24-2009, 02:09 AM
Logistics

Welcome fellow Coloradoan!
09-24-2009, 03:30 AM
mosley59

dworks - I just used Tabac today for the first time, and it seems to take more water than other soaps. I find the easiest way to work out how much water is needed for a new soap or cream is to start whipping with a near-dry brush, and add small drips of water until the lather looks about right.

If it looks tacky or glue-like, it needs more water. If it's runny or doesn't last long, too much water. The perfect lather should (IMHO) look like whipped egg whites - it should be thick, creamy, hold texture (peaks and spikes of lather), and it should have enough body to it to be able to sit on the side of your mug/bowl without slipping down. Hope that helps, you've picked an excellent soap in Tabac
09-24-2009, 03:35 AM
dworks

I used a cheap soap and cheap brush before. I agree that Tabac takes a little more effort, but I really like it. Plus, it is German, so has to be better! LOL. Think I got it about right today.